Jon Dorenbos is a former NFL Pro Bowl long snapper, and world-class magician who blends elite performance insight with emotional storytelling and live magic. His standout achievement is turning a career-ending heart diagnosis into a new chapter as a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, trusted by major organisations to move audiences and shift mindsets.
Jon’s journey started long before the spotlight. Raised between Texas, Washington and California, he learned early how quickly life can change, and he found stability through sport and a sense of control through magic. He excelled at Pacifica High School, earning recognition across multiple sports, then took an unconventional route through junior college before earning a business degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, with an emphasis on economics, finance and marketing. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, a path that demands relentless consistency, humility and grit, and those early years shaped the speaker he is today, practical, grounded and focused on doing the basics brilliantly.
Across 14 seasons in the NFL, Jon became known for precision under pressure and unwavering reliability, most notably during 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned two Pro Bowl selections, and his impact off the field was recognised with honours including the Ed Block Courage Award and being named Eagles Walter Payton Man of the Year. In 2017, a routine medical check revealed a life-threatening aortic aneurysm, leading to emergency open-heart surgery and an abrupt retirement from football. Jon’s ability to rebuild after that moment became part of his public story, amplified when he reached the finals of America’s Got Talent, placing third overall, and later when he headlined a successful Cirque du Soleil production in Las Vegas. His book, ‘Life Is Magic’, further cemented his reputation as a voice on resilience, perspective and personal leadership.
Jon is hired because he delivers an experience people remember, one that lands with both heart and humour. He speaks on resilience, leadership, teamwork, embracing change, mindset, and performing under pressure, using live magic as unforgettable visual metaphors that make the message stick. In one moment, a simple card routine becomes a lesson in trust and communication, the kind teams talk about long after the event. Jon’s sessions matter because they give audiences practical ways to handle uncertainty, strengthen culture and show up better in work and life.
Jon Dorenbos’ official speaker topics are listed below:
- Embracing Change
- Leadership and High Performance
- Life Is Magic
- Live in Vision, Not in Circumstance
- Resilience and Mindset
- The Power of Teamwork
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"Jon is an absolute wizard and his ability to engage an audience is unparalleled." - Simon Cowell, Producer and Creator, America’s Got Talent
"He's not just okay; we're talking AWESOME right here. He had me entertained for hours." - Garth Brooks, Country Superstar
"Jon is by far the most powerful, engaging, dynamic and authentic presenter I have ever hired in my 15+ years of producing conferences and events. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll remember what really matters in life and you'll leave inspired to make a difference. This guy is for real." - Michael, Director GSO B2B Marketing & Events (The Americas), Marriott International
"Jon Dorenbos was the speaker at our annual client appreciation event. His personality, talent, enthusiasm and inspirational story enthralled our clientele. He was approachable and considerate with anyone who wanted to meet him after the event. We would recommend Jon highly as the feedback we received rated Jon as the best speaker we had ever had at our event and one that will be difficult to top in the future." - Michael, President, Foundation Capital Management, LLC
"A sold out audience came to the Ocean City Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ ready to be entertained and wowed by Jon’s magical talents. Little did everyone know that the real magic came from his positive message and inspirational command of the 930 seat theatre. In an hour and a half show, audience members of all ages experienced a journey that left a resounding impact. Jon’s greatest ‘trick’ of the evening was challenging the hearts and minds of 930 random people to move forward in life with a new magical outlook." - Michel, Special Events Coordinator, City of Ocean City
"We had nearly 700 attendees at our conference who attend 7–8 conferences per year. Hands down, Jon is the best keynote speaker and performer they have ever seen. Two days after Jon's performance every conversation is the same; Jon is an incredible individual who touches lives and makes you want to be better today than you were yesterday. Our team was truly touched by his story and by the way he captivated the audience with his magic. The highs were magnificent and the lows brought tears to even the toughest guys in the room. Fans forever." - Shirli, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Nexxus Solutions Group
- 2024 - Guest speaker for Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within global event
- 2018 - Awarded Super Bowl LII honorary ring with the Philadelphia Eagles
- 2017 - Retired from the NFL following life-saving open-heart surgery
- 2016 - America’s Got Talent finalist, finishing third overall
- 2015 - Selected for his second NFL Pro Bowl
- 2010 - Selected for his first NFL Pro Bowl
- 2006-2016 - Philadelphia Eagles long snapper, 11 consecutive seasons
- 2003 - Signed to the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills
How to hire Jon Dorenbos
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Jon Dorenbos for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
